SOUTH BRONX SCHOOL: Shit About Former AP Corey Prober At PS 154 Bronx

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Shit About Former AP Corey Prober At PS 154 Bronx

Sit back, relax, and grab a cold one. I wish to share with all tonight a little story about why tenure is important and why losing our right to grieve letters in our file was so harmful.

Back in September of 2007 we had a new assistant principal at my school, PS 154. His name, Corey Prober. He was one of 4 assistant principals that the then principal at the time had hired, this in a school of 500 students. But I digress.

Back in 2007, it was Corey's 5th year in education. His first year from what I had heard was quite a disaster. He needed a veteran teacher in his class almost every day to help him with management. His 2nd year was better, but it was a CTT class and the burden was not completely on him. In his 3rd year as a teacher somehow was able to squirm into a reading recovery position or something like that, and in his 4th year, well check this out. His 4th year, he was doing his administrative internship. Yep. You read that right.

Seems Corey had from the get go decided that he was on the path to the glory of being an administrator. I guess that is how would think having left the world of advertising. But anyway, his 5th year in eduction and at the school he became an assistant principal.

But all I wish to share is my brush with Corey's swelled head and his trip to power. The other stuff, how he pissed off every teacher in the school, his incompetence, will be left to the historians to decide.

On August 31, 2007, (remember those two days before Labor Day?) in a conversation I was having in the teachers lounge with a colleague I was sharing my two cents about the expectation of our then principal to take work home with us. In my conversation with said colleague I said, "I ain't doing any shit at home." Unfortunately, Corey was in ear shot of me and heard it.

I paid no mind for Corey had told me the previous spring that he would be his own man, that he would not be influenced by our then bi-polar principal. That, and the fact that I considered him a friend made me think that no biggie.

About 3 months later, just before the 90 days to put something in writing ran out, Corey called me to his office with my chapter chair to face charges of unprofessional conduct. What could it be I wondered. Why I was there for dropping the word shit in a sentence.

Of course as a tenured teacher I refused to give a statement. In fact, Corey was quite upset that I refused to give a statement. But too bad.

Several days later I got a letter in my file. In it I was told that I was unprofessional for using such a word as shit and that if it happened again I could receive an unsatisfactory.

Now never mind that there was not one single kid in the entire building that day, or would be for another 6 days or so. Never mind that it was overheard in a private conversation I was having with a colleague. Never mind that if it offended Corey Prober so much all he had to do was just pull me aside and ask that I be careful. Nooooooooo!!!

Corey Prober knew that he got his position through not being qualified but by puckering up and suctioning his lips to the anus of the then principal. That at no time did Corey, and he knew it as well, have the skills or the temperament to me an AP. As everyone knew in PS 154, as well as he did. at the time Corey Prober was a fraud.

So what became of Corey Prober? After that school year his position was excessed and instead of going back to his Common Branch license and teaching with everyone he turned against him at 154, he slithered off to the Island Academy on Rikers Island where rumor has it he was traded around daily for a pack of Newports.

I have heard, but can't confirm, that Island Academy has closed. I do not know where Corey Prober is. But if you work for this putz, be wary, very wary.

Corey Prober is a prime example in my opinion of why education in NYC is at an all time low.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

One of the early initiatives of those who would undermine public education was to minimize qualifications for educational leaders. A little more than a decade ago a Master's Degree and succesful teaching experience was required to become a school administrator in New York State. Now all you need is lots of ambition and a willingness to bury your nose deep in Bloomberg's ass by screwing teachers. Before giving Principals the power over teacher careers in an assessment process, we need to restore high standards for school leaders. More important, we need to send the frauds who have been installed over the last decade packing, especially in New York City.

Anonymous said...

Years ago, I heard that some Chapter Leader had received a letter in the file for using the phrase "shit stirrers" at a Chapter meeting.

I was convinced that "Corey Prober" was a pseudonym until I Googled the name.

Anonymous said...

It is an open secret that failed teachers frequently wind up in the administrative ranks. That explains the odd jealousy they have for teachers who meet success. And when they have an opportunity to 'get' a teacher they take a shot.

Tom Forbes said...

I had a very similar experience with a leadership academy principal starting the second of a four year nightmare. This sort of behavior by administrators is encouraged by the DOE and the UFT stands back and does nothing. Individual's are picked off one at a time and in our case, had nothing to do with how they did their job, it was about how the principal did not like their personality. This is why educators need to develop into administrators.

Robert D. Skeels * rdsathene said...

My greatest fears have been assuaged. Accurate depictions of corporate education (de)formers and their sycophants remain an integral part of this always informative blog.

The Assailed Teacher said...

This is sadly the norm all over the city. We are back to the days when a principal can fire a teacher for getting married or pregnant. Now, a teacher can get canned for having the wrong look on their face or, worse, sticking up for their students when one of these incompetents get on a power trip. I won't recount to you my horror stories as chapter as I saw a small, petty principal try to destroy two of the three award-winning teachers at my school. They are gone now and the third award-winning teacher left is me. It is disgusting to see people in positions of power be so consumed with hatred that they will stop at nothing to take away people's livelihoods. You would think these administrators had better things to do, like run a school.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Prober's first year of teaching was in a CTT setting, and he moved up with his students for his 2nd year of teaching. While the first year was challenging, by the end of the 2nd year, all of the students made significant progress-none were failing. I don't know about the years after those first two, but I do know that his students and their parents respected and responded to him. He taught non-reading 4th and 5th graders how to read. He helped ensure all of the 5th graders were enrolled in middle school. He was an effective teacher during those first two years. It's unfortunate that you feel the need to publicly shame another educator.

Pete Zucker said...

My retort to Ms Ferguson^^^^^^

Corey Prober might have turned into a fine teacher, but his a complete failure, as well as a complete asshole as an assistant principal. Corey Prober allowed himself to become Cynthia Ballard's little bitch. Not one teacher shed a tear when Prober was excessed as an AP at 154

Unknown said...

When you open up a blog called "Shit about..." you have already lost credibility among the educated and educators. You sound more like a hoodlum than a teacher. This is the very lousy, low cut, discount fabric of teachers that NYCBOE is trying to get rid of in order to make room for REAL educators. Educators do not say things like "I ain't doing any shit at home." Even out of context, your lackadaisical attitude is inconsistent with the hours of work a REAL teacher does at home in preparation of their lesson plans to further their students. We do not get paid for that time- we do it because we care. There is no room in this organization for this type of attitude. We must educate tomorrow's leaders and we cannot effectively do this with your attitude. I see your true colors shining through, and it sounds like Mr. Prober did too. The students of NYC are not missing you, and it sounds like an administrator finally did the right thing in the actions he took.

Anonymous said...

As of 1-4-16 Corey Prober is the principal of the school of cooperative technical education at 321 east 9th st, NY, NY

Anonymous said...

i have heard stories of this person through a friend who had the misfortune of working for him. I agree with other posts that many of the NYC BOE administrators are highly incompetent. This particular person seems to be exceptionally so. From the stories I have heard which are too numerous to list here, I would say there is some type of major ego trip going on, totally unrelated to sound educational practices. I also believe that anywhere outside f NYC he would have been charged with bias and racism. Sad, very sad, that a city such as NY has in what many of us in the education field outside the boroughs consider the worst educational system in the country. Had his man been employed on Long Island for instance, I can assure you he would not have lasted a NY minute. Evidently, competence, professionalism and proper qualifications are not mandatory. In NYC as elsewhere. This is leadership where so many children's futures are at stake? Too sad!

Anonymous said...

Shit, he is creating havoc at CoOp Tech. He is riding for a fall.

Dr. Rupert Green said...

He became principal through a bogus and fixed c-30. He is destroying the school.

Pete Zucker said...

I'm all ears. Email me sobronxschool@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I am stunned that someone with no qualifications becomes principal of such a vital school. He lacks tact professionalism. A leader is respected and looked up to. Cory Prober is going to distroy Coop Tech. I have nver worked with anyone so negative and clueless.

Anonymous said...

A bad choice for principal and the staff hates him. He is not experuenced,and soes not know how to lead such a jewel of a school. He is an ego maniac.

Anonymous said...

He is rude. he has no clue as to what practices are involved in CTE Education. Mr. Prober is destroying a stellar school and the morale of a dedicated staff. He has no idea how much value our within these walls. We have no clue how he got this job. Please removed him before this school goes down the drain.

Anonymous said...

Cory Prober does not listen to his teachers. He micromanages areas that he knows nothing about. Why is Corey Prober a CTE Administrator? He does not respect the staff and is very negative. Our school is becoming what I never wanted to see happen. No one is happy and the staff does not respect his leadership. In FACT HE HAS NO LEADERSHIP SKILLS SO HOW ON EARTH IS HE THE PINCIPAL? PLEASE SOMEONE LOOK INTO THIS DEVASTAATING SITUTION. SAVE COOP TECH FROM DROWNING.

Anonymous said...

Cory pober is filled with fear and doubt. He manages situations with very little knowledge about the subject. He has brought with him mistrust and lies. He is a very disturbed person and needs to be removed from coop Tech.

Unknown said...

Actually Corey Prober now is a Principal at Co-op Tech in Manhattan

Anonymous said...

Corey Prober is both an AMAZING and COMPASSIONATE individual and educator. I have had the privilege of working with him for many many years. He always goes above and beyond and puts the students first.
The incompetent individual who started this blog is a bitter little person who was not qualified for his position and should have NEVER EVER been around children/students. You are a disgrace and repulsive disgusting person. Good luck with your live and this silliness you are up to. I think you need alot of help lol.

Anonymous said...

Corey Prober is a Principal at Co-Op Tech in Manhattan for past 3 years. What have you been doing?????

Anonymous said...

Corey Prober is a piece of shit and even that is to much respect because at least a piece of shit serves a purpose, Corey serves none. Now lets talk about Coop, first runs a CTE school with no CTE experience. On top of that, has a "dean" (Coop does not have deans) call the police on a Co-teacher. Looses that case. Lets talk about the failing classes that he cant seem to keep teachers. No I do not think that every teacher is the problem.

I will like to take a moment to talk about Alrick Crowe, comes into Coop looking for a HVAC teaching position, but leaves with an AP job. Mind you this man has held every title under the sun in the five years of "teaching". Anytime Corey needs someone gone he calls his good man Alrick. I would like to leave with a quote from Alrick "Corey presses all the buttons, I just make sure everything works properly".